Why the 16.5" wheel? The fascinating differences in a half inch

[Christo]

The 16.5-Inch Wheel Used To Be Everywhere, Until It Started Killing People - The Autopian

The 16.5-inch wheel used to be popular, is now a rare sight because people kept getting killed while trying to install incorrect tires.

www.theautopian.com

 

[Don Jaksa]

First popularized in the 1960s, 16.5 wheels were designed to accommodate tires that were better suited to handle the heavy loads trucks, trailers, buses, and heavy recreational vehicles encountered, while being easier to maintain.

 

[RF_Burns]

That was an interesting read.

 

[atbigelow]

Thanks for the link. Very topical for me right now: leaning toward ditching the original 16.5's with 16s.

 

[Richard RV]

The 16.5-Inch Wheel Used To Be Everywhere, Until It Started Killing People - The Autopian

The 16.5-inch wheel used to be popular, is now a rare sight because people kept getting killed while trying to install incorrect tires.

www.theautopian.com

That article explains a lot. Always wondered why 16.5s choices were so limited.

 

[1976GMC]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing this